Hemolysis, Phenol Red Broth, and Catalase Test Lab

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to hemolysis, phenol red broth, and catalase tests in microbiology labs.

Hemolysis

The breakdown or lysis of red blood cells.

Beta Hemolysis

Complete lysis of red blood cells around the bacterial growth on SBA, resulting in a clear area.

Alpha Hemolysis

Partial lysis of red blood cells that causes a greenish or brownish discoloration around the bacterial growth.

Gamma Hemolysis

No lysis of red blood cells, with no change in appearance around the bacterial growth on SBA.

SBA

Sheep's Blood Agar, a differential medium used to test bacteria for hemolytic activity.

Phenol Red Broth

A differential medium that tests bacterial fermentation, indicated by a color change.

Durham Tube

An inverted tube inside a broth culture that captures gas produced by fermentation.

Catalase Test

A test that determines if an organism produces the enzyme catalase, which breaks down hydrogen peroxide.

Catalase Positive

Bacteria that produce bubbles when hydrogen peroxide is added, indicating the presence of catalase.

Catalase Negative

Bacteria that do not produce bubbles when hydrogen peroxide is added, indicating a lack of catalase.

Staphylococcus aureus

A bacterial species tested for hemolytic activity and fermentation; it's BSL-2.

Escherichia coli

A common bacterium tested for carbohydrate fermentation in PRB.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A bacterial species tested for carbohydrate fermentation; it's BSL-2.

Aseptic Technique

Procedures used to prevent contamination by pathogens in laboratory settings.

Exotoxins

Toxins released by organisms to destroy host cells, such as hemolysins.

BSL-2

Biosafety Level 2, indicating organisms that can cause human disease and require special precautions.

Incubation

The process of maintaining bacteria under controlled conditions for growth.

Acidic Waste Products

Byproducts from fermentation that lower pH, turning phenol red broth yellow.

Red Blood Cell

Cell in the blood that carries oxygen; affected by hemolysins.

Glucose

A monosaccharide used in phenol red broth for fermentation testing.

Sucrose

A disaccharide used in phenol red broth for fermentation testing.